Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
COLONIAL .
CANADA . ( From the Toronto Daily Leader ?) kssviii SESSION OP THE GISAXD LODGE . The annual session of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Canada was opened on July 12 , in the Masonic Hall , Torontostreet , by Bro . W . B . Simpson . The meeting was largely attendedand it is expected that the proceedings will not be
, completed before Friday evening , when the Masons of Toronto Avill entertain the members of the Grand Lodge at a banquet in the music hall . The election for the Grand Master and Grand Officers will take place to-morrow—the result of which we shall give in duo course . After the usual preliminary business , the Grand Master delivered the following address : — Brethren , —The perfect period of seven years has passed
away since the Grand Lodge assembled in this hall , in annual communication . Many changes have taken place since then . Many who were with us then have been summoned , by the AVise Master Builder , from the earthly tabernacle which their life adorned to fill their place we humbly trust as living stones in that Temple not made with hands , which in silence and in mystery is built up in the land of rest . One whose
commanding presence and whose genial nature challenged the respect and won the love of all who truly knew him , a venerable knight , who upon the occasion of our last meeting here assisted in our delibertions , and helped to convert the union since so richly fruitful in the prosperity of our Order—is now no more . Another , his deputy , like him , a faithful Masonhas been called to come hiherAnd
, up g . many others have , during this period , filled up the measure of their earthly days . The tribute of an evergreen remembrance is due then in proportion as they were true to their Masonic obligations . Far be it from us in the increased prosperity of our Order , which we have been permitted to see , to forget those Avho were active in their place , in that day of small things in consolidating our influence and strengthening our position in
the Lord . It was , brethren , comparatively speaking a day of small things . Then we numbered about 100 lodges , our financial condition was by no means commensurate with our dignity as a Grand Lodge—our work far from satisfactory . We were
acknowledged by few sister Grand Lodges . Now we have over 170 lodges ; our income is in some degree creditable to our position ; in our working , although there is yet much room for improvement , wo have made decided advances , and there is no Grand Lodge throughout the world with which we are not upon terms of friendly and fraternal intercourse . These indications of prosperity , while they give proof to tho truth of the proverbial saying " in unity is strength" call loudl us
, y upon for thanksgiving to the Great Architect of the Universe , and incite us to renewed efforts , in the faithful performance of our Masonic duties , for the wellbeing of our race and advancement of our Order . I trust that neither the example of those sturdy workmen who have gone before us to their reward , nor the lesson ^ taught us by God ' s blessing on their skilful work will be losb upon uswho are yet left to share in the weiht of
, g responsibility , or in tho labour of our honourable Craft , the burden and heat of the day . Since the last annual communication of the Grand Lodge I have granted dispensations for the erection of the following new lodges : —Royal Albert in Montreal , on 2 Gth Oct ., 1861- ; Merritt , in Welhnid , on 1-1-fcli Nov ., 1 SG 1- ; AInennb , in Port Colbonrne , on 6 th Dec , 186-1 ¦; Britannia , in Seaforth , on Gth Dec , 1 SG 1 ;
Prince of Wales , in Iona , on ld-th February , 18 G 5 ; Ayr , in Ayr , on 4 th March , 1 SG 5 ; Victoria , in Montreal , on 27 th March , 1865 ; Walsingbam , in Port Rowan , on 25 th April , 18 C 5 ; St . John's , in South Potton , on 20 th May , 18 G 5 ; and Spartan in Sparta . It remains for the Grand Lodge to confirm them iu their privileges , by granting warrants , which I am happy to say may safelbe done
y , as I have taken groat care not to issue any dispensation until fully satislied of the competency of the proposed oflicers to govern the lodge and confer the first three degrees of Masonry . One of the first rules laid down by me on being elected to the high office I have the honour to hold , was under no circumstances to grant a dispensation for a new lodge unless , m addition to the usual requirements of the constitution , the petition was accompanied by a certificate from the Deputy Grand Master of the district where the proposed lodge was to be located , setting forth that the Worshipful Master elect Avas
fully competent not only to rule the lodge , but also to confer the first three degrees of Masonry as recognised by the Grand Lodge of Canada , thus insuring the proper working of every new lodge . Two applications have been made to me for dispensations for new lodges which I have felt constrained to refuse ,, one for a lodge that would have interfered with existing lodges in that vicinitand was consequentlnot recommended by the Deputy
y , y Grand Master ; the other for a lodge , North Mississiqua , to be held at South Potton , because the Worshipful Master elect proved on enquiry to be unable to rule the lodge or confer the degrees in the prescribed manner . Amity Lodge ( No . 32 ) and AVellington Lodge ( No . 52 ) both held at Dunnville , having arrived at the wise conclusion that one healthy and flourishing lodge would he of infinitely more
advantage to our Order in their locality than two sickly and weak ones , amalgamated with my concurrence , and No . 52 having been dissolved , the warrant has been surrendered , and is now in the custody of the Grand Secretary . With respect to the want of uniformity of work , I feel constrained to draw the attention of the Grand Lodge to the fact that there is far , very far from that uniformity of work in our
several subordinate lodges which is so necessary to the welfare and prosperity of our Order . During the past year I have been frequently called upon to settle disputed points , and have been unpleasantly reminded that our present system of communicating Masonic instruction through our Deputy Giand Masters does not by any means meet the demands of the Craft . The Deputy Grand Masters haveI doubt notdone all in their
, , power to instruct the lodges in their several districts , but as they are men Avho are all more or less engaged in professional or mercantile pursuits , it would be utterly impossible for them , without detriment to their private affairs , to devote that time and attention to their Masonic duties which the instruction of the Craft requires . Under these circumstances I would therefore earnestly impress upon Grand Lodge the necessity of taking
immediate steps to meet the requirements of the Craft in this respect , and would strongly recommend , as the best means of doing so , that one or two Grand Lecturers be appointed , and that some adequate plan be arranged for their remuneration . In consequence of the resolution passed by the Grand Lodge at its last annual communication in reference to St . George's Lodge , Montreal ( No . 643 ) , 44-3 , C . R . declaring said lodge to be entitled to full and free recognitionI on the 28 th of Sept .
, last issued my edict to all our subordinate lodges and brethren directing them to cultivate and exchange friendly intercourse with said lodge ; thus setting at rest , I trust for ever , this irritating and vexatious question , which , in my opinion , should never have arisen ; for had the Grand Lodge been true to herself , and insisted upon her inalienable rights , she would not have been placed in the anomalous position of claiming to be
the Grand Lodge of Canada , and yet having lodges within her jurisdiction who owe her no allegiance . No doubt this concession was made from a desire to establish that peace aud harmony which is so dear to the heart of every true Mason ; but unfortunately it has failed in doing so , and is actually at this moment the fertile source of strife and contention , as will be seen by a communication which I have received from St . John ' s
lodge ( No . GS ) Ingersoll , which I have directed the Board of General Purposes to lay before you , in order that some action may be taken to put a stop to the gross and crying evil therein complained of . Many questions of Masonic law have been submitted for my decision during the past year , and as such questions are constantly arising , I deem it of importance that these decisions
should be made known to the Craft , iu order as far as possible to establish uniformity of practice . On the 28 th Aug . last , application was made to me on behalf of the members of the Quebec Garrison Lodge for permission to elect a new Master in place of the one named in the dispensation and warrant , he having removed with his regiment to the city of Montreal . After careful examination , 1 decided that this application could not be entertained for the . following
reasons : — 1 . The Worshipful Master of a lodge , even if bo were willing to resign , has not the power to do so under the constitution . 2 . The officers and brethren having solemnly promised obedience to their Worshipful Master at his installation , he could of course command it at any time he returned to the lodge within the year . 3 . That as it is absolutely necessary that a brother should
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
COLONIAL .
CANADA . ( From the Toronto Daily Leader ?) kssviii SESSION OP THE GISAXD LODGE . The annual session of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Canada was opened on July 12 , in the Masonic Hall , Torontostreet , by Bro . W . B . Simpson . The meeting was largely attendedand it is expected that the proceedings will not be
, completed before Friday evening , when the Masons of Toronto Avill entertain the members of the Grand Lodge at a banquet in the music hall . The election for the Grand Master and Grand Officers will take place to-morrow—the result of which we shall give in duo course . After the usual preliminary business , the Grand Master delivered the following address : — Brethren , —The perfect period of seven years has passed
away since the Grand Lodge assembled in this hall , in annual communication . Many changes have taken place since then . Many who were with us then have been summoned , by the AVise Master Builder , from the earthly tabernacle which their life adorned to fill their place we humbly trust as living stones in that Temple not made with hands , which in silence and in mystery is built up in the land of rest . One whose
commanding presence and whose genial nature challenged the respect and won the love of all who truly knew him , a venerable knight , who upon the occasion of our last meeting here assisted in our delibertions , and helped to convert the union since so richly fruitful in the prosperity of our Order—is now no more . Another , his deputy , like him , a faithful Masonhas been called to come hiherAnd
, up g . many others have , during this period , filled up the measure of their earthly days . The tribute of an evergreen remembrance is due then in proportion as they were true to their Masonic obligations . Far be it from us in the increased prosperity of our Order , which we have been permitted to see , to forget those Avho were active in their place , in that day of small things in consolidating our influence and strengthening our position in
the Lord . It was , brethren , comparatively speaking a day of small things . Then we numbered about 100 lodges , our financial condition was by no means commensurate with our dignity as a Grand Lodge—our work far from satisfactory . We were
acknowledged by few sister Grand Lodges . Now we have over 170 lodges ; our income is in some degree creditable to our position ; in our working , although there is yet much room for improvement , wo have made decided advances , and there is no Grand Lodge throughout the world with which we are not upon terms of friendly and fraternal intercourse . These indications of prosperity , while they give proof to tho truth of the proverbial saying " in unity is strength" call loudl us
, y upon for thanksgiving to the Great Architect of the Universe , and incite us to renewed efforts , in the faithful performance of our Masonic duties , for the wellbeing of our race and advancement of our Order . I trust that neither the example of those sturdy workmen who have gone before us to their reward , nor the lesson ^ taught us by God ' s blessing on their skilful work will be losb upon uswho are yet left to share in the weiht of
, g responsibility , or in tho labour of our honourable Craft , the burden and heat of the day . Since the last annual communication of the Grand Lodge I have granted dispensations for the erection of the following new lodges : —Royal Albert in Montreal , on 2 Gth Oct ., 1861- ; Merritt , in Welhnid , on 1-1-fcli Nov ., 1 SG 1- ; AInennb , in Port Colbonrne , on 6 th Dec , 186-1 ¦; Britannia , in Seaforth , on Gth Dec , 1 SG 1 ;
Prince of Wales , in Iona , on ld-th February , 18 G 5 ; Ayr , in Ayr , on 4 th March , 1 SG 5 ; Victoria , in Montreal , on 27 th March , 1865 ; Walsingbam , in Port Rowan , on 25 th April , 18 C 5 ; St . John's , in South Potton , on 20 th May , 18 G 5 ; and Spartan in Sparta . It remains for the Grand Lodge to confirm them iu their privileges , by granting warrants , which I am happy to say may safelbe done
y , as I have taken groat care not to issue any dispensation until fully satislied of the competency of the proposed oflicers to govern the lodge and confer the first three degrees of Masonry . One of the first rules laid down by me on being elected to the high office I have the honour to hold , was under no circumstances to grant a dispensation for a new lodge unless , m addition to the usual requirements of the constitution , the petition was accompanied by a certificate from the Deputy Grand Master of the district where the proposed lodge was to be located , setting forth that the Worshipful Master elect Avas
fully competent not only to rule the lodge , but also to confer the first three degrees of Masonry as recognised by the Grand Lodge of Canada , thus insuring the proper working of every new lodge . Two applications have been made to me for dispensations for new lodges which I have felt constrained to refuse ,, one for a lodge that would have interfered with existing lodges in that vicinitand was consequentlnot recommended by the Deputy
y , y Grand Master ; the other for a lodge , North Mississiqua , to be held at South Potton , because the Worshipful Master elect proved on enquiry to be unable to rule the lodge or confer the degrees in the prescribed manner . Amity Lodge ( No . 32 ) and AVellington Lodge ( No . 52 ) both held at Dunnville , having arrived at the wise conclusion that one healthy and flourishing lodge would he of infinitely more
advantage to our Order in their locality than two sickly and weak ones , amalgamated with my concurrence , and No . 52 having been dissolved , the warrant has been surrendered , and is now in the custody of the Grand Secretary . With respect to the want of uniformity of work , I feel constrained to draw the attention of the Grand Lodge to the fact that there is far , very far from that uniformity of work in our
several subordinate lodges which is so necessary to the welfare and prosperity of our Order . During the past year I have been frequently called upon to settle disputed points , and have been unpleasantly reminded that our present system of communicating Masonic instruction through our Deputy Giand Masters does not by any means meet the demands of the Craft . The Deputy Grand Masters haveI doubt notdone all in their
, , power to instruct the lodges in their several districts , but as they are men Avho are all more or less engaged in professional or mercantile pursuits , it would be utterly impossible for them , without detriment to their private affairs , to devote that time and attention to their Masonic duties which the instruction of the Craft requires . Under these circumstances I would therefore earnestly impress upon Grand Lodge the necessity of taking
immediate steps to meet the requirements of the Craft in this respect , and would strongly recommend , as the best means of doing so , that one or two Grand Lecturers be appointed , and that some adequate plan be arranged for their remuneration . In consequence of the resolution passed by the Grand Lodge at its last annual communication in reference to St . George's Lodge , Montreal ( No . 643 ) , 44-3 , C . R . declaring said lodge to be entitled to full and free recognitionI on the 28 th of Sept .
, last issued my edict to all our subordinate lodges and brethren directing them to cultivate and exchange friendly intercourse with said lodge ; thus setting at rest , I trust for ever , this irritating and vexatious question , which , in my opinion , should never have arisen ; for had the Grand Lodge been true to herself , and insisted upon her inalienable rights , she would not have been placed in the anomalous position of claiming to be
the Grand Lodge of Canada , and yet having lodges within her jurisdiction who owe her no allegiance . No doubt this concession was made from a desire to establish that peace aud harmony which is so dear to the heart of every true Mason ; but unfortunately it has failed in doing so , and is actually at this moment the fertile source of strife and contention , as will be seen by a communication which I have received from St . John ' s
lodge ( No . GS ) Ingersoll , which I have directed the Board of General Purposes to lay before you , in order that some action may be taken to put a stop to the gross and crying evil therein complained of . Many questions of Masonic law have been submitted for my decision during the past year , and as such questions are constantly arising , I deem it of importance that these decisions
should be made known to the Craft , iu order as far as possible to establish uniformity of practice . On the 28 th Aug . last , application was made to me on behalf of the members of the Quebec Garrison Lodge for permission to elect a new Master in place of the one named in the dispensation and warrant , he having removed with his regiment to the city of Montreal . After careful examination , 1 decided that this application could not be entertained for the . following
reasons : — 1 . The Worshipful Master of a lodge , even if bo were willing to resign , has not the power to do so under the constitution . 2 . The officers and brethren having solemnly promised obedience to their Worshipful Master at his installation , he could of course command it at any time he returned to the lodge within the year . 3 . That as it is absolutely necessary that a brother should